Medication Instructions

Prochlorperazine/Phenothiazines for Nausea/Vomiting

HFFY#4700

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Prochlorperazine/Phenothiazines
For Nausea and Vomiting
The name of your medicine is .
About Your Medicine
PHENOTHIAZINES (FEE-noe-THYE-a-
zeens) are used to treat nausea and vomiting.
Phenothiazines may also be used for other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
If any of the information in this leaflet
causes you special concern or if you want
more information about your medicine and
its use, check with your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
Remember, keep this and all other
medicines out of the reach of children.
Never share your medicines with others.
Before Using This Medicine
DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR POSSIBLE
SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS MEDICINE. Some may
be serious and/or permanent. For example,
tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder)
may occur and may not go away after you
stop using this medicine.
Tell your doctor, nurse, and pharmacist
if you:
y are allergic to any medicine, either
prescription or nonprescription
(OTC);
y are pregnant or intend to become
pregnant while using this medicine;
y are breast-feeding;
y are taking ANY other prescription or
nonprescription (OTC) medicine;
y have ANY other medical problems.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Phenothiazines may be taken with food
or a full glass (8 ounces) of water or milk to
reduce stomach irritation.
IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE,
take it as soon as you remember. If it is
usually taken only as needed, there is no
need to make up the missed dose. Do not
double doses.
Precautions while Using This Medicine
DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE
WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH YOUR
DOCTOR. Your doctor may want you to
reduce slowly the amount you are taking.
This medicine will add to the effects of
alcohol and other CNS depressants
(medicines that slow down the nervous
system or make you drowsy). CHECK WITH
YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY OTHER
DEPRESSANTS WHILE YOU ARE TAKING THIS
MEDICINE. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL.
This medicine may cause changes in
vision or cause some people to become
drowsy or less alert than they are normally.
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW YOU REACT
BEFORE YOU DRIVE OR DO JOBS THAT
REQUIRE YOU TO BE ALERT AND TO SEE WELL.
DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, OR
FAINTING MAY OCCUR, especially when
getting up from a lying or sitting position.
Getting up slowly may help.
This medicine may make you sweat less,
causing your body temperature to rise. DO
NOT BECOME OVERHEATED DURING EXERCISE
OR HOT WEATHER, SINCE OVERHEATING MAY
RESULT IN HEAT STROKE.
BEFORE HAVING ANY KIND OF SURGERY
OR DENTAL OR EMERGENCY TREATMENT,
TELL THE DOCTOR OR DENTIST THAT YOU ARE
USING THIS MEDICINE.
Some people who take this medicine
may become more sensitive to sunlight.
Stay out of direct sunlight and protect
yourself from getting too much sun with
protective clothing or sunscreen products.
Check with your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist before using other medicines
(both prescription and over-the-counter) or
herbal supplements with this medicine.
Possible Side Effects of This Medicine
SIDE EFFECTS THAT SHOULD BE
REPORTED TO YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY.
STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE AND CHECK
WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR GET EMERGENCY
HELP RIGHT AWAY if any of these side effects
occur:
Rare
y Convulsions (seizures);
y Fast or irregular heartbeat;
y High fever;
y High or low blood pressure;
y Increased sweating;
y Loss of bladder control;
y Muscle stiffness (severe);
y Troubled breathing;
y Unusually pale skin;
y Unusual tiredness.
OTHER SIDE EFFECTS THAT SHOULD BE
REPORTED TO YOUR DOCTOR:
More Common
y Blurred vision or difficulty in seeing
at night;
y Difficulty in talking or swallowing;
y Fainting;
y Inability to move eyes;
y Lip smacking or puckering;
y Loss of balance control;
y Mask-like face;
y Muscle spasms of face, neck, or
back;
y Puffing of cheeks;
y Restlessness;
y Shuffling walk or stiff arms and legs;
y Tic-like, twitching, or twisting
movements;
y Trembling of hands;
y Uncontrolled chewing or tongue
movements;
y Uncontrolled movements or
weakness of arms or legs.
Less Common
y Difficulty in urinating;
y Skin rash;
y Sunburn (severe);
y Abdominal or stomach pains;
y Aching muscles and joints;
y Confusion;
y Fever and chills;
y Hot, dry skin or lack of sweating;
y Muscle weakness;
y Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
y Painful, inappropriate penile erection
(continuing);
y Skin itching (severe) or discoloration
(tan or blue-gray);
y Sore throat and fever;
y Unusual bleeding or bruising;
y Yellow eyes or skin.
SIDE EFFECTS THAT USUALLY DO NOT
REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION:
These possible side effects may go away
during treatment; however, if they continue
or are bothersome, check with your doctor,
nurse, or pharmacist.
More Common
y Constipation;
y Decreased sweating;
y Drowsiness;
y Mouth dryness;
y Lightheadedness or dizziness;
y Stuffy nose.
Other side effects not listed above may also
occur in some patients. If you notice any
other effects, check with your doctor, nurse,
or pharmacist.
After you stop using this medicine, your
body may need time to adjust. Check with
your doctor if you notice any of the above
side effects.
More Information from UWHC:
If side effects occur that include restlessness, twitching, trembling of hands or
uncontrolled movements of arms or legs, please call your doctor before taking further
doses.
Reproduced, with permission, from the 1989-2010 United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. Printed in 12/2010
by the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, Department of Nursing, Madison, WI. Reviewed
by the Department of Pharmacy. UWH #4700.